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Related Experiment Videos

Growth and developmental instability.

Anders Pape Møller1, John Manning

  • 1Laboratoire de Parasitologie Evolutive, CNRS UMR 7103, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Bât. A, 7ème étage, 7 quai St. Bernard, Case 237, F-75252 05, Paris Cedex, France. amoller@snv.jussieu.fr

Veterinary Journal (London, England : 1997)
|June 6, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Developmental instability, measured by fluctuating asymmetry, indicates poor animal welfare and is linked to reduced growth rates. Improving rearing conditions can decrease asymmetry, benefiting both animal health and producer outcomes.

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Area of Science:

  • Animal Science
  • Developmental Biology
  • Animal Welfare Science

Background:

  • Developmental stability is an organism's ability to produce a regular phenotype despite genetic or environmental challenges.
  • Developmental instability is quantified by fluctuating asymmetry and phenodeviant frequencies.
  • Mechanisms controlling bilateral symmetry are also crucial for overall development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the relationship between developmental instability and animal welfare.
  • To investigate the correlation between developmental instability and growth rate.
  • To assess the impact of rearing conditions on developmental instability and growth.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized fluctuating asymmetry as a key measure of developmental instability.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analyzed data from eleven studies correlating growth rate and developmental instability.
  • Examined the effects of environmental factors like rearing density on asymmetry and growth.

    • Main Results:

    • Developmental instability measures positively correlate with other welfare indicators.
    • A significant negative correlation (r = -0.15) exists between growth rate and developmental instability.
    • Increased rearing density elevates fluctuating asymmetry and reduces growth rate.

    Conclusions:

    • Fluctuating asymmetry serves as a reliable indicator of animal welfare.
    • Reduced asymmetry through improved rearing conditions enhances growth rate and animal welfare.
    • Optimizing rearing conditions offers dual benefits for producers and animals.